I just sent an email message to a friend who sent me a private message because he feared embarrassing me on this thread. I respect and love him for it because he is spiritually advanced and has the ability to see things that I do not. However, I wanted to post my reply because I thought it might be a good discussion topic.
"XXXX, Its real good to hear from one of the old timers like you. Looks like the old crew has mostly disappeared. Shame...
Yes, there are many concepts about goodness and love but also Jesus was a man who was very confrontational when he observed hypocritical actions and evil. Why did he bother? Why did he associate with lowly and sinful people?
XXXX, self-righteousness is a bad thing. Some become so enamored or consumed with their righteousness that they become immune to soul searching or advice from others who see them as they really appear to others.
I have this verse on the front of my web page-
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart.
These, O God, You will not despise." Psalm 51:17
Do you think that I would attack a man such as described in that verse? Of course not.
There are many ways to love, XXXX and confrontation is only one of them.
These that you mentioned(in the real world) are mostly aspirations of those who fail to see themselves as a sinful human but one who thinks that they have attained some goal of perfection.
Walk a mile in my shoes, XXXX. I have good qualifications on dealing with down and outers and the self-righteous.
James
I post this in the hope that some will offer there opinion on my views on those whom I call double minded. I have a tough skin and appreciate differing opinions when done in a spirit of care or concern for a fellow human who is trying to grow spiritually and make sense out of many care-less people who are selfish and uncaring in our world. You see, i was in that category at one time but..... God changed me through pain, adversity and then confrontation by those who cared for me. Love without risk is not love, imo.
James |
